Normal Police officer honored for talking armed man out of suicide

Posted on March 16, 2022

NORMAL – Normal Police are recognizing the life-saving work of one of their officers who talked an armed man out of committing suicide late last year.

Officer Melanie Crays is being given the department’s Award of Meritorious Service for her actions after she was called to a local motel December 10.

On the department’s Facebook page, police described how Crays wound up saving a life, initially gathering information and talking to the man by phone for an hour.

“Officer Crays was able to recognize several points of finality during the conversation and kept the individual engaged and redirected,” police said.

The man surrendered without harming himself or others because of the officer’s efforts, said police.

“Officer Crays’ dedication to the individual’s well-being and superb communication skills were above and beyond the normal call of duty and her actions solely contributed to the successful resolution of this incident, the department said.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…